Businesses in and around the village of Coon Valley are in the process of re-forming a business association, which has been inactive for 10 years. The thought of revitalizing the business association was sparked during conversations by members of Coon Valley Farmer’s Telephone as they prepared to hold a second annual customer appreciation picnic and wanted to expand the successful event to incorporate all Coon Valley area businesses, not just the phone company, that initially held the event in 2007 to honor 100 years of business in Coon Valley.

To promote the venture local businesses interested in becoming association members selected a committee to oversee the venture. Elected were: President Carol Olson, the assistant manager of Coon Valley Farmers Telephone; Vice President Patrick Nee, Coon Valley postmaster; Secretary, Linda Pederson, owner/operator Stockyard; and Treasurer John Wrobel, manager Fortress Bank in Coon Valley.

The committee held its first organizational meeting on March 27, 2008, where they developed, drafted and sent out letters to 52 area businesses inviting them to join the newly organized business association. To date the group has 20-25 paid membership dues and the committee is anticipating even more businesses to join the association in the months to come.

The committee is tentatively planning to apply for association status with the state of Wisconsin under the name, Coon Valley Area Business Association. The previous business group was called, Coon Valley Business Association Inc., but the new committee would like to expand the region and invite a wider area of businesses to join the organization by adding the name “area” to the official title. Another drawback to staying with the original association name involves the possibility of paying back dues owed to the state before they could again be recertified as a legitimate association.

Once formed the association mission will be to collectively promote Coon Valley and area businesses. The group is waiting to develop a mission statement until they are state certified and all members can assist with developing the organization’s mission. Although not written in stone, one aspect of the group’s mission will entail working with the community to promote local youth organizations and assist with funding to keep struggling civic, youth and senior clubs active.

On Friday, July 25, from 3-7 p.m. the Coon Valley Area Business Association will hold a customer appreciation kick-off community picnic in the park to show their gratitude for continued patronage business.

For more information about the new association or to join contact any of the committee board members listed above.